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Breaking News: Access Bank Takes Over Standard Chartered Bank in Gambia After Meeting CBN’s ₦500 Billion Capital Rule
Access Bank has met the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) ₦500 billion capital demand and taken control of Standard Chartered Bank’s 130-year-old operations in The Gambia as the 2026 deadline draws near.
A New Era for Nigerian Banking
Access Bank has made history again.
The bank has crossed the ₦500 billion capital line set by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
This puts Access Bank ahead of the March 2026 deadline.
At the same time, the bank has taken over the operations of Standard Chartered Bank in The Gambia.
That bank has been in the country for more than 130 years.
Now the story has changed.
This move has placed Access Bank in the front row of Africa’s banking scene.
It is now one of the first Nigerian banks to meet the strict rule.
It is also one of the few to add a 130-year-old foreign bank to its record.
The ₦500 Billion Rule
In 2024, the Central Bank of Nigeria told all banks to raise their capital.
This rule came as part of the recapitalisation policy.
The aim was to make Nigerian banks stronger.
For banks with an international license, like Access Bank, the new rule was ₦500 billion.
The deadline is March 31, 2026.
Some experts feared many banks would struggle.
But Access Bank moved fast.
Through a rights issue, it raised over ₦350 billion in fresh funds.
This pushed its total capital base to about ₦600 billion.
That is far above the ₦500 billion mark.
This means Access Bank will not worry about the deadline.
It has secured its place ahead of time.
And it has set an example for others.
The 130-Year-Old Bank Takeover
The second part of this story is even more historic.
Standard Chartered Bank has been in The Gambia for over a century.
It served families and businesses for more than 130 years.
But in 2022, the group announced it would leave some African markets.
The Gambia was one of them.
On June 13, 2025, Standard Chartered Gambia closed its doors.
On the same day, Access Bank took control.
That means Access Bank now runs all the branches and services of Standard Chartered in the country.
This was a landmark event.
It shows how Access Bank is growing beyond Nigeria.
It shows how it is taking charge in Africa.
Why This Matters
This story is not just about money.
It is about strength.
It is about growth.
And it is about trust.
By meeting the CBN rule early, Access Bank has shown that it is stable.
By taking over Standard Chartered Gambia, it has shown that it can expand.
For customers, this means more trust in their bank.
For Nigeria, this means pride in a local brand going global.
The Race Against Time
Other banks are still in the race.
Some have raised new money.
Some are still planning.
The March 2026 deadline is not far.
It is now less than 19 months away.
Reports show that Zenith Bank has also met the target.
United Bank for Africa (UBA), First Bank, and GTBank are still working on it.
But Access Bank and Zenith Bank are ahead.
They have proved it can be done.
This puts pressure on other banks.
It also gives customers a sense of safety.
If Access Bank can do it, others can too.
Global Expansion Drive
Access Bank has not stopped with The Gambia.
It has also been buying other assets.
Earlier in 2025, it agreed to acquire South Africa’s Bidvest Bank in a deal worth $159 million.
It has also spread into Kenya, Zambia, and other parts of Africa.
The bank is working with a vision.
It wants to be Africa’s gateway to the world.
And with each move, it gets closer.
A Stronger Africa
Experts say this is good for Africa’s economy.
When African banks buy African banks, the money stays in Africa.
It also means stronger local brands.
This can build trust among investors.
It can also give young people more jobs.
For The Gambia, this takeover means no loss of service.
Customers of Standard Chartered can still use their bank.
Only the name has changed.
The trust remains.
What the CBN Wants
The Central Bank of Nigeria made the rule for a reason.
It wants Nigerian banks to be strong enough to face global storms.
It wants them to have the funds to survive crises.
It wants them to be able to give loans to support the economy.
With Access Bank meeting the target early, the CBN can breathe easy.
It knows at least one giant has done it.
Now it waits for the rest.
The Voice of the People
When news of the takeover broke, many Nigerians spoke.
Some praised Access Bank.
They said the bank has shown leadership.
They said it has proved Nigerian banks can compete anywhere.
Others asked if the customers in The Gambia will be safe.
Access Bank gave them an answer.
It said all accounts and deposits are safe.
It said all services will continue.
This gave peace of mind.
The Countdown to 2026
The next 18 months will be busy for the banking sector.
Banks will race to raise funds.
Some may merge.
Some may sell shares.
Some may even leave the stage.
But Access Bank has moved ahead.
It has nothing to fear.
It is ready for the future.
Why This is a Big Story
This is not just a banking story.
It is a story of strength.
It is a story of vision.
It is a story of history.
A Nigerian bank has taken over a 130-year-old global brand in Africa.
At the same time, it has met one of the toughest rules at home.
This is big.
Call to Action
The public must watch this space.
More changes are coming.
Other banks will soon announce their own moves.
Customers should stay informed.
Investors should watch closely.
And citizens should demand more from their banks.
Conclusion
Access Bank has shown courage.
It has shown vision.
And it has shown strength.
By meeting the ₦500 billion rule, it has secured its home.
By taking over Standard Chartered Gambia, it has expanded its world.
The March 2026 deadline is near.
But Access Bank has already crossed the line.
The future of Nigerian banking has changed.
@DocuNews Central
